How to Export Files from Google Drive: Complete Guide

What Motivates Businesses to Export Google Drive Files?

Many reasons probably make any individual or business go for the export of Google Drive files, like:

• Transfer files from one Google Drive to another for swift backup
• Shifting Google Drive data to a new cloud or local server
• Closing or transferring a Google account to another ecosystem
• For recovery of shared or received Google Drive data 
• To avoid dependency on one cloud provider, aka Google 
• Backup Google Drive to External Hard Drive for offline archives 

Top Methods to Export Files from Google Drive

Below, we will discuss different available methods to export Drive files on the local OS with easy, simple, and practical solutions. You can browse all the methods, understand their pros and cons, and then choose one that best suits your preferences. 

Method 1: Free Save Files from Google Drive Web 

It is one of the straightforward methods and is specified by Google’s Help Guide, too. Here are the steps:

1. Sign in to drive.google.com and select one or more Drive files and folders. 
2. To select everything, press Ctrl+A on Windows and Cmd+A on Mac.
3. Next, right-click or press the three-dot icon and select Download. 
4. Finally, Google compresses all the files into a ZIP and saves it locally on your OS. 

You can now check your system’s Download folder to access the Google Drive ZIP file and unzip it to extract and view the contents. 

Benefit: Is easy to use and doesn’t require any external application. 

Limitations: 

• Impractical for bulk exports and suitable for a few files only. 
• Folder structure often changes, and large downloads fail.
• DOC format changes to DOCX and Google Sheets as XLSX. 

Method 2: Export Files from Google Drive Desktop App 

Another alternative if you use the Google Drive application on your OS. It enables local syncing between the drive and system files. Steps to follow are:

1. Download Google Drive for Desktop on Windows or Mac OS. (If not done)
2. Then, install the application and log in with your Google account. 
3. Further, move to Preferences/Settings and select Google Drive. 
4. After that, select the Mirror Files option to copy files locally as on the cloud. 
5. Google will automatically initiate the process to sync files locally. 
6. Once completed, you can access the Google Drive files and folders on your desktop. 
7. At last, choose to copy/move/or export Google Drive files as required on the OS. 

Benefit: It is free and syncs the changes in real time so that your files appear as a virtual drive. 

Limitations:

• Sync conflicts can result in duplicate or overwritten Drive files. 
• You need sufficient local storage, and it may slow down with large files. 
• Shared or restricted Google Drive data is not exported. 

Method 3: Transfer Files from Google Drive to Local Drive

Another popular method for exporting is using Google Takeout, a built-in facility offered by Google. Steps are:

1. Launch Google Takeout and sign in with your Google profile. 
2. Next, click on Deselect All and tick the box beside Drive. 
3. Tap Next Step and afterward, choose a file size and .zip type.
4. Furthermore, select Export Once frequency and send the download link as the destination. 
5. Lastly, click Create Export to export files from Google Drive. 

Note: Based on the size, Google may split the ZIP files. 

Once you receive the ZIP file in your email, click Download to receive it on your system. Later, unzip it to extract the Google Drive contents. 

Benefit: Is easy and direct to use, other than being free. 

Limitations: 

• Best suited only for one-time archival and not selective exports. 
• It is very time-consuming as it may take hours or days to export. 
• Shared drive files are excluded, and no custom options are available. 

Method 4: Export Google Drive Files with Native Tool 

The final manual method is using the Google Workspace Native Data Export Tool. The Admin Console helps extract all the Google Drive files. Follow these steps:

1. Initially, sign in to the Google Admin Console with admin credentials. 
2. From the homepage, under the Tools menu, click Data Export. 
3. Next, press the Start Export button to initiate the download. 
4. Google will itself prepare a copy of all Workspace data, including Drive files. 
5. Wait until a confirmation email with the download link is received. 
6. In the end, using the Download link, extract your Drive files and other data. 

Benefit: Is free and in direct control of the admin. 

Limitations: 

• Useful only for super admin users and requires technical expertise. 
• No option for progress tracking, and it is time-consuming. 
• Has specific requirements like < 1,000 users and 2FA enabled. 
• You have only 30 days at max to download the entire data. 

Method 5: Quick Export Files from Google Drive Tool 

One of the most secure, reliable, trusted, and verified ways of exporting Drive files is by using the SysInfo Google Drive Migrator Software. This smart tool ensures only your Google Drive data is transferred securely on the local OS in one go within minimal time. Additionally, it doesn’t require any technical expertise and works offline on your Windows or Mac OS. Moreover, it is a straightforward solution with a few steps. 

Steps to Transfer Files from Google Drive to Local Drive

1. Launch the Google Drive Migration Tool and click Next at the opening. 
2. Then, choose your Google account and complete the Sign In. 
3. Further, a list of Drive folders appears. Preview, select, and then tap Next. 
4. After that, apply the filters as desired before the export and click Next. 
5. Now choose Backup to Local Drive from the options and tap Next. 
6. Pick a destination, enter the folder name, and click OK to export. 

Benefits:

• Allows bulk export of the entire Google Drive at once without data loss. 
• Supports saving Google Drive data to another Drive or OneDrive, too. 
• Has filters for date range, duplicates, server space, and extensions. 
• Saves email data as well as attachments without hassle, securely. 
• Is user-friendly and retains the folder hierarchy and data integrity. 

Limitation: 

Free Google Drive Migrator only exports files of size less than 20 MB. 

Conclusion 

When it is about data governance, security, and offline accessibility, then it becomes essential to export files from Google Drive. Manual download solutions work at a small scale, but for bulk data volumes, appropriate and scalable solutions are required. The Google Drive Mover Tool is one such dependable solution that provides a clean and structured local copy of your Google Drive data. It is secure, intact, and usable without worries. 

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.